Online class - Nature's Art

On a whim a few weeks ago, before my life got turned upside down with moving things from the country to home - and thrift stores - I signed up for an online workshop "Nature's Art".   It is taught by a woman from South Africa, who picks up branches, twigs, driftwood and leaves that she uses as canvases.    I like to paint on leaves.   So, why not on branches and twigs?   Thinking I'd still  have the place in the country to retreat to and take long walks picking up things along the way.  

Well, that didn't work out.   Not going to the country for long walks often.   Rarely is more like it.   

 But at the beach the other day, in the backyard I found a little bit of a palm frond and thought I'd bring it home to paint on.    Here it is.   The natural fibers in the piece lent themselves perfectly to wind/water swept hair... 

The second is another little bit off the palm trees that line the main street in front of the house.        I've only watched a couple of the many videos available on the workshop so far, but have it available anytime.   Ms Bain does a lot of preparation on her pieces.  Filing, sanding, scraping, etc.     These did not require much except a stiff brushing and then some gesso.     It was kinda fun to do these.   She suggests leaving them in the woods or on the beach again so someone can find them.     I think I'll just put them out in my garden to watch them weather.    

 I wish I'd turned the second one sideways. Today it looks like a bird's head with open beak.    Hmmm...  I may paint over the girl and go for a bird yet.    

Soft Pockets for big bucks

I started constructing some little cloth book covers - but mid way, they decided they wanted to be book pockets.  Actually they fit a Kindle reader or my  Samsung tablet.     I sure like them on the table rather than looking at technology pieces strewn about.     I used some of my favorite background fabrics and did not embellish the backs.  Seems more practical to leave them plain.    Anyway I love to look at the fabric!   LOL    

These seem so simple, I thought I could throw them together in an hour or two, but it acturally took several days to work out what to put where.   One of the images was printed on cotton, the other two are printed on paper.  One is coated with gel medium, the other covered with tulle.    

I was thinking about selling them in the gallery but with the number of hours it took, I'd have to charge at least $100 for my time and effort.  And they'd never sell for that.    Sooooo.... I think they may be gifts for friends, or donation for a raffle prize at the gallery.    I'm quite happy with being able to donate raffle prizes, and they always bring in a lot of ticket money.  The gallery needs all the help it can get.   

Actually they were so much fun, I think I'll start a couple more.   it's a grey rainy day.     Well, a few drops count as rain don't they?     In the midst of a drought, any little bits of rain are good.    

I just felt like it

I'm heading off to the gallery to drop off this piece of art.   I just finished it the day before.   It was a good hair day so I snapped a pic.   How vain can you get?    






Here is the little felt landscape I've been working on.   It is being shown in the gallery now in the membership show.  This was done by hand with needles.   It started much smaller and grew and grew.    It measures about  6 x 6 inches.     most of it was done with a single needle.  I work on top of a foam piece to keep the needle from sticking into ME!    These are really sharp needles, just ask any felter.       Part of the background was done with a 5 needle tool which blends things together well, but for detail and sculpting, a single needle is necessary.      It is mounted on a pice of commercial felt, and shown in a shadow box with glass front.     I really enjoyed the whole process.   I carried it around in a little case with supplies and tools, and worked on it at the gallery while taking my turn as sitter.      I could visit with friends at the same time.  It's very relaxing.    While I cannot wear wool on my arms and wrists, it presented no problems with my  hands.  I think I'll start another one soon.